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A CHRISTIE MYSTERY

by Randall David Cook

JO LOOSEMORE

Jo Loosemore performs Randall David Cook’s new one-woman play about writing, writers and why we love murder mysteries.

Two writers are obsessed with Agatha Christie, but which one is at the book launch? It seems both write about the Queen of Crime, but have both also committed a crime of their own?

‘A Christie Mystery’ plays with the idea of facts, fictions and whose story is really told.

A wonderful opportunity to see this brand new play that has only been performed once before.

Sat 21 Sep 8.30-9.30pm

Flavel Auditorium

Tickets £15

ABBA TRIBUTE: TAKE A CHANCE ON US!

Yes they are back!! After a fantastic sell out in 2023, TAKE A CHANCE ON US returns to The Flavel!

ABBA celebrates 50 years since winning the Eurovision Contest this year so don’t miss the opportunity to celebrate this amazing achievement and experience the Ultimate Abba Party with one of the Top Abba Tributes in the UK.

Appealing to all age groups and bringing you the music of one of the most successful bands of all time, TAKE A CHANCE ON US is a fantastic fully live Abba tribute show. If you can’t see the real thing then you can still experience the wonderful songs of Abba fantastically recreated in this show.

With a live four piece band, voiceovers, costume changes, choreographed dance routines, and so much more the band members encourage lots of audience participation and of course it includes all the well known iconic and favourite Abba Hits. This year the show has some new costumes as many songs as can be packed from ABBAs 50 years! So put on those platform boots and funky suits, or just a boa and join us for a night of ABBA madness.

A PRE SHOW SUPPER IS AVAILABLE TO BOOK HERE : ABBA PRE SHOW SUPPER

AN AFTERNOON OF CRIME WRITERS

Combined ticket £25

Sat 21 Sep, from 4pm

Please note there will be a 15minute break between each session with book signings in the Library after all three events.

4-5pm: A WRITER’S GUIDE TO MURDER

RL Graham, Orlando Murrin & Jane Corry

From their different backgrounds and life experiences, these popular authors will offer their own five secrets for finding inspiration and ideas for their novels.

R L Graham the pseudonym of a Canadian partnership steeped in history. The husband-and-wife team have a broad range of interests in many periods of history including the 100 Years War and the tumultuous years leading up to the First World War and the post-war re-ordering of the world. Under the pseudonym AJ Mackenzie, Morgen Witzel and his now deceased wife, Marilyn Livingstone, wrote 11 historical crime novels including the popular Simon Merrivale series set in opening years of the Hundred Years War. Morgen is also the author of 38 non-fiction works including historical accounts of the battles of Crecy 1346 and Poitiers 1356. Death on the Lusitania set against the backdrop of the famous ocean liner’s final voyage in May 2015 is the first novel of RL Graham.  www.panmacmillan.com

After being hurled into the culinary limelight as a semi-finalist on MasterChef, Orlando Murrin edited BBC Good Food for six years and founded Olive magazine. He then changed tracks to become a chef-hotelier in Southwest France and Somerset. Orlando has written seven cookbooks and is the President of the Guild of Food Writers. He regularly appears as a guest on TV and radio and presents the BBC Good Food podcast with Tom Kerridge. His move into crime fiction with a culinary edge was inspired by his grandfather who was a Met detective and a MI5 interrogator. He inherited from his grandfather a fascination for crime and mystery. Knife Skills is Orlando’s debut novel. www.orlandomurrin.com

Having read English at University Jane’s first job was as a trainee journalist for the Thompson Organisation the owner of the Times. She then joined various magazines as a staff writer, including Woman’s Own where she interviewed both the famous and people with interesting stories to tell. Following the birth of her first child Jane turned freelance and continued to write for a number of newspapers and magazines. She was also appointed the writer in residence at a high security prison for men for 3 years. Jane’s first novels were about romance and life experiences but her prison experiences led her to conceive her first novel about a young fictional lawyer sent into a prison to defend a convicted criminal. The book was taken up by Penguin and led to further book deals. Jane is now a well-known and highly respected author of psychological thrillers which explore the darker sides of family life. Jane is a best seller on both sides of the Atlantic and her novels regularly feature on the best seller lists in the Sunday Times and the Washington Post.

 www.janecorryauthor.com

5.15-6.15pm: DEATH IN DEVON

Sarah Pearse, Helena Dixon & Hannah Dennison

In this session, chaired by Helena Dixon, the authors will talk about their novels and how certain locations have inspired and influenced their work.

Helena Dixon splits her time between the Black Country and Brixham in Devon where she now lives. Her cosy crime novels are set in the 1930s and feature Miss Underhay, a soon to be married amateur sleuth. Miss Underhay’s various everyday visits to hotels and grand houses soon involve the discovery of an unusual number of dead bodies and mysteries that demand to be solved. Many of the locations in Helena’s novels are well known places in Devon including a particular hotel in Dartmouth. www.nelldixon.com

The locations in Sarah Pearse’s novels are a good deal more sinister.  Sarah lives by the sea in South Devon but in her twenties moved to the Swiss Alpine town of Crans Montana where she was drawn to the history of the sanitoriums in the area. This was the spark for her first novel, The Sanitorium. The pull of strange and creepy places has continued in her next two novels. The Retreat takes place on an island off the English coast and her third novel, recently published, takes place in a Portuguese national park. All three novels have as their central character Detective Elin Warner searching for answers in chilling and dangerous locations. www.sarahpearse.co.uk

Hannah Dennison’s novels are all situated in Honeychurch Hall. The main characters are a mother and daughter duo who reside in the carriage house of a beautiful, if rather dilapidated, estate set in the wilds of the Devonshire countryside. Hannah’s characters are original and eccentric which enables her to bring both humour and intrigue to this charming and popular mystery series.  Hannah lived for many years in California before returning to Devon and whilst on her travels she has had a variety of jobs including working as an obituary reporter, an antiques dealer, a private jet attendant and a Hollywood story analyst.  www.hannahdennison.com

6.30-7.30pm: THIS MUCH IS PERSONAL 

Stephanie Austin & TP Fielden 

In this compelling session, Stephanie Austin and TP Fielden explore how much their own fascinating life stories provide rich material for their novels.

How much of their writing is autobiographical, and how do they separate fact from fiction?

Stephanie Austin’s fist crime novel, Dead in Devon was published in June 2019. The books are set in the real town of Ashburton on the edge of Dartmoor. Her heroine is Juno Browne, an amateur sleuth and reluctant antique-shop owner with an eclectic selection of friends. Since then, seven Juno Browne novels have been published and the eighth is due to be published in September 2024. Stephanie lives in Devon and when not writing she is actively involved in amateur theatre as an actor and director. www.stephanieaustin.co.uk

TP Fielden was commissioned in 2019 to write the English Riviera Murders, a series of retro mysteries featuring Miss “Judy” Dimont, a feisty Chief Reporter on a local Devon newspaper. The four novels chronicle Miss Dimont’s adventures after leaving the Navy in her new career as a journalist on the Riveria Express, based in the fictional town of Temple Regis. The books are full of murders and intrigue.

The murder mystery trilogy, Stealing the Crown, Burying the Crown and Betraying the Crown follows three years of Royal life in wartime. The lead character Guy Hartford is a British painter who is seconded by the Foreign Office to Buckingham Palace as a temporary courtier where he encounters the secret lives of the Royal Family.

TP Fielden is the pen name of Christopher Wilson, a Fleet Street journalist for many years with columns in The Times, The Sunday Times and The Mail. He is also a successful biographer having written books about Queen Camilla and Catherine, Princess of Wales.  www.christopherwilson.info

Book signings in LIBRARY at 7.30pm

As the nights draw in at the beginning of October, things start to get a bit glitzy at The Flavel.

The incredible ABBA tribute ‘Take a Chance on Us’ will be returning to our stage bringing their stunning show full of hit after hit.

To celebrate, The Flavel bistro will be serving a Scandi inspired pre-show supper. Chicken in a wild mushroom cream sauce (Vegetarian option of stuffed mushrooms in a cream and prosecco sauce), served with hasselback potatoes and sauteed spinach, followed by a delicious blueberry and vanilla cheesecake.

Spaces are limited so book your spot for a fabulous evening now!

Please book your tickets for the concert separately HERE ABBA TRIBUTE: TAKE A CHANCE ON US!

André Rieu’s 2024 Maastricht Concert:

Power of Love

André Rieu is ready to blow you away with his brand new cinema concert ‘Power of Love’. From his picturesque hometown of Maastricht, The King of the Waltz presents a must-see big screen spectacular. Accompanied by his world famous Johann Strauss Orchestra and a cast of hundreds, this promises to be the music event of the summer by one of the world’s most prolific artists.

 

In a concert overflowing with passion André’s unique repertoire combines classical, musicals, pop and rock! You have to see it to believe it!

 

Set against the backdrop of the historic Vrijthof square, André will amaze you with iconic film scores, beautiful waltzes, tear jerking ballads and unexpected chart hits  - music has the power to unite and this is a concert for all the family.

 

Let's enjoy André’s music together and spread the love. Don’t miss André Rieu ‘Power of Love’ exclusively in cinemas this summer.

Includes one interval

BOOK FESTIVAL PROGRAM CAN BE DOWNLOADED HERE : BOOK FESTIVAL

Friday 20 and Saturday 21 September 2024
In partnership with Browser Books, The Community Bookshop and Dartmouth Library

With grateful thanks to our Sponsors:

Clive & Annie Norton

Anthony & Julie Downing

Sally & Edward Benthall

Peter & Camilla Beloe

Sheila & Jonathan Shribman

Janie Harford & James Dodd

John & Lindsay Ellwood

Deborah & Mike Penn

Spencer & Caroline Wigley

and Dart Marina Hotel

 

Parking Information

Parking in Dartmouth is unfortunately a challenge. The Park and Ride will be available for parking during the Book Festival, and although the Park and Ride bus will not be operational, there is a regular bus service into town: the 92 runs every half hour:

https://tiscon-maps-stagecoachbus.s3.amazonaws.com/Timetables/South%20West/May%202024/92_PLY%20260524.pdf

Parking is available in the Mayors Avenue car park in the town centre for a maximum of 4 hours.

The Way of Willow : Basket Weaving Willow Workshop with Vivienne Turner

Join Vivienne Turner on this fabulous Basket Weaving Willow Workshop  at The Flavel on Monday 7 October 2024 from 10-5pm.

Experienced willow weaver, Vivienne, will guide you through every step to making your very own willow basket to take home, ideal for gathering veggies or flowers from the garden. The basket is worked on a frame and you will learn several different techniques during the course of the day.

The workshop is suitable for complete beginners as well as those with more experience.

All materials and tools provided.

The cost of the workshop is £85 per person which includes complementary hot drinks throughout the day.

There will be a forty-minute break for lunch and The Flavel café will be open for pre ordering of lunch on the day.

Places are limited to 12, so please book early to avoid disappointment.

CHILDREN’S WORKSHOP: JOSIE BIRCH & BETHAN WELBY

A fun workshop with Josephine and Bethan - two very talented illustrators (particularly, but not exclusively for children), who live locally.

After a warm-up drawing activity, each child will pick ‘prompts’ from a jar: a character (eg frog), an item (eg burger) and an activity (eg skating), and will take this character on a journey.

The end result will be a small folded book, their creation, which they will be proud to take home! Josie and Bethan will also read some of their own stories. Some some of their illustrative artwork will be on display in The Flavel gallery during the Book Festival.

www.bethanwelbyillustration.com

www.josephinebirch.net

Please note: children must be accompanied by their parent/carers

Sat 21 Sep 10-11.15am

Dartmouth Library

Tickets £5 (suitable for children aged 5-8)

CREATIVE WRITING WORKSHOP: THE STORYTELLER’S JOURNEY

Keith Rossiter & Jonathan Posner

Join authors Jonathan Posner and Keith Rossiter on an adventure into the world of imagination in this interactive workshop.

Jonathan Posner is a full-time author and publisher based in Exeter. He has written and published six action adventure novels set in Tudor England. Jonathan gets a thrill from seeing his books in print and getting feedback from readers, which is why he is so keen to share what he has learned about the craft of writing with others.

Keith Rossiter is a former journalist turned full-time novelist. He has published one thriller turned full-time novelist. He has published one thriller set in Greece ‘The Chaos Game.’ He has recently completed a novel for young adults and another for middle-grade children. He is eager to share his steep learning curve with new and improving writers.

Fri 20 Sep 6-8pm

Flavel Studio

Tickets £15

DARTMOUTH’S HISTORY: DARTMOUTH HISTORY RESEARCH GROUP

Come along to this session if you are interested in our fascinating local history.

Members of the group will be available to talk about their work, and their locally published books will be available to buy.

Their most recent publication is: When War Came to the Dart, by Gail Ham and Hilary Sunman, which combines the memories of local people with official records and other contemporary accounts to chart the impact as the communities of the Dart were immersed in war.

Dartmouth History Research Group have published 40 books and booklets on the area’s history. Books have been written on local figures including Thomas Newcomen, John Davis, John Flavel and William Veale; and on local places including Hawley’s Fortalice, The Castle Hotel, Bayards Cove and Slapton Sands.

www.dartmouth-history.org.uk

Fri 20 Sep 4-5pm

Dartmouth Library

Free Event

DARTMOUTH’S WAR

Dr Jane Harrold, Dr Richard Porter, Dr Harry Bennett & Michael Pearce

interviewed by Jo Loosemore

The 6th of June, 1944, witnessed the D-Day landings by the Assault Forces of the Allied Nations over some 40 miles of the beaches of Normandy. From the narrow

foothold secured on that day sprang the pregnant series of events which culminated eleven months later in those forces meeting the Russians in the heart of Germany, and the abject surrender of the Third Reich and all for which it stood. Operation "Neptune," the name given to the assault phase of Operation "Overlord," the general plan for the liberation of north-west Europe was indeed appropriate —because without in any way detracting from the magnificent work of the sister services, the Navy was necessarily bound to play the major part in the opening stages of convoy and transport. It was, however, unique in two respects. These were: firstly, the proximity at the scene of operations of the United Kingdom with all its resources as a main base, which facilitated the maximum application of the Allied Sea and Air superiority and secondly, the gigantic scale on which the operation was conceived and launched.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Operation-Neptune-D-Day-Landings-Normandy/

Sat 21 Sep 12.15am-1pm

Flavel Auditorium

Tickets £10

There will be a book signing in the library after the talk

A fun and exciting weekly drama group aimed at developing theatre performance skills, building confidence, and making new friends through the Dramatic Arts.

This is a creative opportunity for young people to develop and explore their own voice. We focus on giving young people creative choice, a safe space for self-expression and exploration, building a community of collaboration and inclusivity. We can cover performance skills such as improvisation and devising, physical theatre, voice and characterisation, writing and script work.

Director and facilitator, Rachel Swain, is an award winning Youth Theatre Practitioner, with over 25 years teaching experience, Rachel writes original Youth Theatre productions to ensure all young people have their moment to shine. Her youth group ‘Dramatically Different Brixham’ has been the resident Youth Theatre in Brixham for over 10 years and ‘Dramatically Different Teignmouth’ has been a huge success since it was established in 2019.

If you would like more information or to ask questions about the Drama Workshops please email: info@theflavel.org.uk

The sessions cost £90 per term, which will normally include between 9 and 11 sessions depending on the actual term dates, but dates and term lengths can vary. The actual dates for Autumn Term 2024 are shown below.

A number of subsidised places will be available to Dartmouth Residents through our Bursary Scheme. Please email Lindsay Ellwood for details of the bursary scheme on: flaveldrama.bursaries@gmail.com (Supported by Dartmouth United Charities and Dartmouth Mayflower).

Suitable for ages 7 to 18 years

There are two weekly sessions on a Wednesday - please make sure you book into the correct session. The earlier group at 4pm will be for younger children and the later group at 5.15pm will be for the older age group, but we are very happy to vary this depending on what suits your individual child, so please contact us if you wish to discuss.

Session 1 ‘Juniors’  – 4pm to 5pm - Younger age group (typically age 7 to 9)

Session 2 ‘Transitions’ – 5.15pm to 6.15pm - Older age group (typically age 10+)

Wed 18 Sep

Wed 25 Sep

Wed 9 Oct

Wed 16 Oct

Wed 23 Oct

HALF TERM

Wed 13 Nov

Wed 20 Nov

Wed 27 Nov

Wed 4 Dec – Transitions Group Sharing (no Junior session this week)

Wed 11 Dec

Please note there will be no sessions on Wed 2 Oct and Wed 6 Nov for either group

EMPIRE JAVELIN: PHILIP KAY-BUJAK

Empire Javelin, an American built LSI (Landing Ship, Infantry) in Royal Navy service, played an important role on D-Day. She carried A Company 116th RCT (the famous ‘Bedford Boys’) across the Channel and her landing craft put them ashore on Dog Green sector as part of the initial assault or ‘suicide wave’, onto Omaha Beach. In telling her story, Philip Kay-Bujak does justice to the contribution of the Royal Navy at Omaha Beach, which has been underestimated in the past.

Philip Kay-Bujak is a former GSA Headmaster and Associate of The Royal Historical Society. He taught English European History for over twenty years and was a public school headmaster. He was and is a Koestler Literary Award winner. Other publications include articles on education and British history and books on local history, Scottish art and the Great War.

https://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/Philip-Kay-Bujak/a/5868

Sat 21 Sep 10.45am - 11.30am

Flavel Auditorium

Tickets £10

There will be a book signing in the Library after the talk

ENDGAME 1944: HOW STALIN WON THE WAR

JONATHAN DIMBLEBY

Interviewed by John Suchet

Jonathan Dimbleby discusses his latest book, the Sunday Times bestseller: ‘Endgame 1944: How Stalin Won the War’.

Jonathan has enjoyed a long and distinguished career in television, working for ITV and the BBC, and has written a number of highly acclaimed books.

In 1994 he wrote, presented and co-produced Charles, The Private Man, the Public Role and published his book, The Prince of Wales: A Biography. In 1997 the BBC screened The Last Governor, his series on the final five years of British rule in Hong Kong and he published a book of the same name. His documentaries about Ethiopia and Kosovo were shown by the ITV network in 1998 and 2000 respectively. More recently his five-part series Russia - A Journey with Jonathan Dimbleby was broadcast by BBC2 and his book, Russia - A Journey to the Heart of a Land and its People, was published to accompany the series.

Jonathan Dimbleby's previous books include the highly acclaimed Second World War Histories The Battle of the Atlantic and Destiny in the Desert: The Road to El Alamein, which was shortlisted for the Hessell-Tiltman Prize and was followed by his BBC2 programme Churchill's Desert War. His other books include, Russia: A Journey to the Heart of a Land and Its People, Richard Dimbleby: A Biography, The Palestinians, The Prince of Wales: A Biography and The Last Governor: Chris Patten and the Handover of Hong Kong.

 https://www.penguin.co.uk/authors/120845/jonathan-dimbleby

Fri 20 Sep 8-9pm

Flavel Auditorium

Tickets £18

There will be a book signing in the auditorium after the talk

Environmental Matters: Seasonal Changes

Anna Turns, Sally Vincent & Anna Koska interviewed by Jo Loosmore

Join environmental journalist and author, Anna Turns, illustrator and author, Anna Koska and local author, Sally Vincent, discussing the effects of climate change on the seasons, biodiversity loss and the problem of chemical pollution, with BBC journalist and producer, Jo Loosemore.

Fri 20 Sep 11am-12pm

Flavel Auditorium

Tickets £10

There will be a book signing in the auditorium after the talk.

Anna Turns – Environmental journalist & author.

Since studying biology, Anna has worked in the media for more than two decades, from TV production to magazine journalism and radio broadcasting. As a freelance environmental journalist, she has written regularly for many national publications including The Guardian, BBC Future, New Scientist and Positive News. Her first book, Go Toxic Free: Easy and sustainable ways to reduce chemical pollution, was published in 2022. Her work focuses on solutions – progress, innovations and the changemakers pushing for a greener planet. Anna lives in Devon by the sea and is the senior environment editor for The Conversation, a website that brings academic research to a mainstream audience.  

https://theconversation.com/uk

Anna Koska – illustrator and author

Anna and her family moved from East Sussex to Devon in 2020 and she now finds inspiration for her artworks in the ebb and flow of the tide throughout the year, the flotsam and jetsam washed up on the shore and the creatures spotted in the air, on land and tucked away in rockpools. She has written and illustrated two beautiful books: ‘From Field & Forest: An Artist’s Year in Paint & Pen’ and ‘From Coast and Cove’, chronicling a year in the natural world captured in materials ranging from pencil, pen and ink, watercolour and egg tempera.

She is an enthusiastic supporter of the charity ‘Till the Coast is Clear’

Sally Vincent – author

When Sally Vincent left London for a quiet valley in Devon, she and husband Paul took on far more than a farmhouse renovation. Taken from her successful blog, Raining Sideways charts her rural adventures from townie to fully-fledged farmer, braving extreme weather, blight, sheep rearing and much more in between. Sally experiences first-hand the massive impact of the supermarkets, and highlights the deception of food production and food labelling in the UK. But as she faces the turbulence of the outside world, she turns to her garden for solace, finding light and happiness in nature, animals and her surroundings.

Jo Loosemore – interviewer

Radio maker. History finder. Theatre lover. Jo is a broadcaster, curator and actor. For the BBC, she has created radio dramas, documentaries and live programmes. This includes World War One at Home (in partnership with the Imperial War Museums) for network and local radio, regional tv and online. From Brazil to the Battlefield, the story of Exeter fighting footballers, was broadcast on BBC 5 Live. She also produced the Listening Project’s national tour for BBC Radio 4 and BBC local radio contributing the 1000th conversation to The British Library’s collection. She was an ARIAS nominee (Best Factual Series) in 2023, and is the creator of the podcast Red Earth about the 1943 evacuation of the South Hams. She curated Mayflower 400: Legend and Legacy for The Box, Plymouth, and was co-curator of Wampum: Stories from the Shells of Native America (for national tour). She is a Visiting Fellow at the University of Plymouth.

Ever wanted to try Flamenco dance? Now’s your chance.

The workshop is a two hour Lola Flamenco dance session with professional dancers from Andalucia and their guitarist who will accompany. A Spanish translator will be making it all clear in fluent English.

No previous dance experience is necessary and please wear comfortable clothing and dance shoes if you have them.

This will be the perfect way to appreciate a spectacular art form; before seeing the real thing at the evening show, you can have a go yourself in the morning workshop.

Saturday 28 September, 10am-12pm
Tickets £15

Lola Flamenco will also be giving a performance on Saturday 28 Septermber at 7.30pm. Tickets must be booked separately and are available HERE

100 YEARS OF STAGE AND SCREEN (Part 2)

Flavel Favourite, Donna Marie Broomfield (soprano) now takes a nostalgic trip through the second half of 100 years of Stage & Screen, from musicals such as West Side Story (1959), Fiddler on the Roof (1964) through to Evita, Les Misérables, Phantom of the Opera and many more.

The concert starts at 5.30pm and is followed at 6.30pm by a glass of wine or soft drink in the bar (included in your ticket) and a chance to chat to friends and to Donna. A great way to start the weekend.

Friday 27 September, 5.30pm

Tickets £14 (to include a complimentary glass of wine after the performance)

HELENA CLEWS : LIFE DRAWING CLASSES

(max 30 participants)

£115 for block of 5 classes to include complimentary hot drinks and biscuits

Wed 18 Sep

Wed 25 Sep

Wed 2 Oct

Wed 9 Oct

Wed 16 Oct

10am-12.30pm

Book your place and join in on the hugely successful life drawing workshops at the Flavel. It's a wonderful opportunity to draw alongside Helena and practice one of the fundamental skills of art.

The workshops are for all abilities. Helena will be available to provide individual feedback and help as necessary. The sessions are divided into the first part of short poses, ranging from 1 - 20 minute poses, a short break and then one long pose for around 55 minutes.

Information on what you need:

Please bring materials that you would like to draw with; ideally some charcoal (compressed and willow), coloured soft pastels, soft pencil (2B or softer) and a rubber. If you have your own paper/sketchbook then please bring that too.

Drawing boards will be provided and sheets of A2 cartridge paper is available to buy in cash on the day - 4 sheets for £1. There will also be some basic materials available on the day in exchange for a cash donation.

Helena will look forward to seeing you in September.

HISTORICAL FICTION: DAUGHTERS OF DEVON, ROSEMARY GRIGGS

Join Rosemary for this unique blend of history, theatre and re-enactment. Rosemary has researched Devon’s 16th century history for years, discovering a cast of fascinating characters and families whose influence stretched beyond the West Country. She tells the stories of the forgotten in history – the women beyond the royal court; wives, sisters, daughters and mothers who played their part during those tumultuous Tudor years: The Daughters of Devon.

Her novel, A Woman of Noble Wit, tells the story of Katherine Champernowne, Sir Walter Raleigh’s mother, and features many of the county’s well-loved places. The Dartington Bride is the extraordinary story of Lady Gabrielle Roberda Montgomery who came to Elizabethan England to marry into one of Devon’s most prominent and well-connected families.

She also creates and wears 16th century clothing, a passion which complements her love for bringing the past to life. Her talks will draw on extensive research into 16th century Devon, Tudor life and particularly Tudor and Elizabethan dress.

www.rosemarygriggs.co.uk

Fri 20 Sep 2-3pm

Flavel Auditorium

Tickets £10

There will be a book signing in the library afterwards.

HISTORICAL FICTION: TIM PEARS & DAVID WEST

 

interviewed by John Suchet

Join Tim Pears and David West as they talk about their work in conversation with John Suchet.

Although their books come under the umbrella of historical fiction, they have a very different approach to the subject, which will be revealed during their conversations.

Brought up in Devon, Tim left school at sixteen, and had an extraordinarily wide range of jobs, before training in film and television directing. He is the award-winning author of eleven novels. ‘In the Place of Fallen Leaves’ won the Hawthornden Prize, and ‘In a Land of Plenty’ was made into a BBC drama. More recently, he has focused on historical settings: ‘In the Light of Morning’, set in Yugoslavia in the Second World War; and the ambitious West Country trilogy set before, during and in the aftermath of the First World War. Tim will discuss his most recent novel, ‘Run to the Western Shore’ (2023) a surprising, powerful, elemental novel set in Roman Britain, about destiny, home and surviving in a world of flux.  

David West fell into historical fiction. He wanted to be a crime writer but could not find a protagonist. He was reading a biography of Sir Francis Drake and discovered that Walsingham had a spy who was feeding him detailed intelligence on the Spanish Armada. He was called Sir Anthony Standen. Standen was David’s mother’s maiden name and it turned out that Sir Anthony Standen was the elder brother of his 10th great-grandfather. The Tudor James Bond was born.

David’s first book is The Spy who sank the Armada and is a fictionalised biography of Sir Anthony Standen.  The subsequent books are historical fiction crime stories featuring Sir Anthony and his fictional children.

www.timpears.com

www.davidvswest.co.uk

Sat 21 Sep 2-3pm

Flavel Auditorium

Authentic artistry from the heart of Flamenco-country

Lola Flamenco hail from Jerez de la Frontera - the heart of ‘gitano’ (gypsy) flamenco country.

The show is a passionate performance of song, dance and incredible music that will leave audiences sizzling in their seats. The troupe of dancers, singers and guitarist accompanist will bring the flames of Andalucian passion and the pulsing rhythms of Spanish guitar, clapping and incredible footwork.

It features authentic music and dance routines passed down from family to family over many generations, with costume changes that ensure the performance is a feast for the eyes AND the ears.

Expect hot flamenco that moves your soul in this scintillating show.

Saturday 28 September, 7.30pm

Tickets £22

If you've ever wanted to try Flamenco dance there will a two hour workshop with Lola Flamenco. No previous dance experience is necessary,

Places available to book HERE 

Edward Scissorhands: Matthew Bourne’s dance version of Tim Burton’s classic film of 1990.

In a castle high on a hill lives Edward; a boy created by an eccentric inventor. When his creator dies he is left alone and unfinished with only scissors for hands until a kindly townswoman invites him to live with her suburban family. Can Edward find his place in the well-meaning community which struggles to see past his curious appearance to the innocence and gentleness within?

Matthew Bourne’s magical dance production of Edward Scissorhands has carved a place in the hearts of audiences worldwide since its premiere in 2005. Based on the classic Tim Burton movie and featuring the hauntingly beautiful music of Danny Elfman and Terry Davies, Bourne and his New Adventures Company return to this witty, bittersweet story of an incomplete boy left alone in a strange new world.

‘The story of Edward Scissorhands has never felt timelier. In an era when uniqueness and identity are both celebrated and reviled, the story of how we treat anyone who appears to be different in our communities is as poignant and relevant now, as when my dear friend Caroline Thompson wrote the screenplay for Tim Burton’s legendary movie fable some 33 years ago... If you come to see it in cinemas, I hope that you too will fall in love with the enchanting story of Edward Scissorhands, the incomplete boy left alone in a strange new world.’
Sir Matthew Bourne, Artistic Director, New Adventures

Filmed live in March 2024 at the Wales Millenium Centre, Cardiff, this ’visually arresting and ceaselessly inventive’ (★★★★★ Metro) production is ‘the perfect treat for all the family’ (★★★★★ The Times).

MUSIC: IN SEARCH OF BEETHOVEN, JOHN SUCHET

John Suchet is considered to be an authority on Ludwig van Beethoven, and has written several books on the subject. His latest release ‘In Search of Beethoven’ stands apart as a deeply personal account of Suchet’s relationship with the great composer.

Suchet charts a journey from Beethoven’s early years in Bonn to his life in Vienna, following in the composer’s footsteps and interweaving his story with Suchet’s own. Suchet’s witty and insightful narrative offers a candid portrayal of Beethoven.

John Suchet is a well-known TV news reporter and newscaster and now regular presenter on Classic FM, he is an acknowledged authority on Ludwig van Beethoven and has sold over 23,000 copies of ‘Beethoven: The Man Revealed’.

www.johnsuchet.co.uk

Fri 20 Sep 6-7pm

Flavel Auditorium

Tickets £18

There will be a book signing in the Library afterwards

Written by Suzie Miller

Directed by Justin Martin

Jodie Comer’s (Killing Eve) Olivier and Tony Award-winning performance in Suzie Miller’s gripping one-woman play returns to cinemas.

Tessa is a young, brilliant barrister. She has worked her way up from working class origins to be at the top of her game; defending; cross examining and winning. An unexpected event forces her to confront the lines where the patriarchal power of the law, burden of proof and morals diverge.

Prima Facie takes us to the heart of where emotion and experience collide with the rules of the game. Please note, this includes sensitive subject matter including reference to sex, violence and rape.

Justin Martin directs this solo tour de force, captured live in 2022 during a sold out run at the Harold Pinter Theatre in London’s West End.

Reviews:

★★★★ ‘West End debuts don’t come more astonishing than this solo tour de force by Jodie Comer’ (Telegraph)

★★★★ ‘An extraordinarily gutsy and rich performance by Jodie Comer’ (Evening Standard)

★★★★ ‘An unforgettable moment of theatre’ (WhatsOnStage)

★★★★ (Guardian, Telegraph, Times, Independent, The Stage)

POETRY PICK AND MIX: DARTMOUTH POETRY CLUB

In this interactive session, members of Dartmouth’s Poetry Group invite you to share their love of poetry.

Members look forward to reading from some of their favourite poets, and invite you to do the same.

They will also do their best to fulfil requests. All ages welcome, whether you come to read of listen.

Event introduced and chaired by Ernie Wingeatt.

Dartmouth Poetry Club are a group of poetry enthusiasts who meet every month at The Flavel and new members are always welcome to join and share in a love of poetry.

Fri 20 Sep 4-5pm

Flavel Studio

Free event

The Royal Opera: Mozart’s THE MARRIAGE OF FIGARO

David McVicar returns to direct his glorious 2006 production of The Marriage of Figaro at The Royal Opera.

Ying Fang makes her long-anticipated Royal Opera debut as Susanna, alongside former Jette Parker Artist Jacquelyn Stucker as the Countess. Conductor Julia Jones leads a largely international cast, including Luca Micheletti as Figaro, Huw Montague Rendall as Count Almaviva, with Ginger Costa-Jackson also making her Royal Opera debut as Cherubino.

Mozart’s beloved score is instantly recognisable, from Figaro's ironic farewell to Cherubino in 'Non più andrai' (You shall go no more), to Cherubino’s lovelorn aria to the Countess, ‘Voi che sapete’ (You who know what love is). The Marriage of Figaro shines with humanity and wit, making it an enduring classic. Lighting by Paule Constable and set design by Tanya McCallin bring all the drama of one day in a chaotic household fully to life.

Cast: Luca Micheletti, Ying Fang, Huw Montague Rendall, Jacquelyn Stucker

Director: David McVicar

Conductor: Julia Jones

Friday 13 September 2024, 6.30pm

Running time: 240 minutes, One interval

Sung in Italian with English subtitles

SELF-PUBLISHING: CHELLA ADGOPUL - HONEYBEE BOOKS

 

Chella will give a talk on self-publishing, followed by a question and answer session. Chella has run a small literary festival for writers in Charmouth, has given numerous talks and also lectured on self-publishing at Cambridge University.

She has been running a self-publishing company for about 12 years, and has helped publish over 200 books to date. She also keeps up to date with other people offering digital services, such as Amazon and Lulu, to cover different routes to self-publishing.

‘I think self-publishing offers a huge potential for all sorts of interesting projects to find their audiences, so I’m keen to help people find the best way forward for them, whatever that might be.’

www.honeybeebooks.co.uk

Sat 21 Sep 1-2pm

Flavel Studio

Tickets £15

There will be a Q & A after the talk

STORYTELLING WORKSHOP: KATY CAWKWELL 

Albina, Gogmagog and Brutus - Murderous Princesses and Gentle Giants in South Devon

Katy Cawkwell brings the mythical history of our land to life, with strange tales of the extraordinary sisters who first landed on these shores, their giant children and the warriors who landed at the mouth of the river Dart intent on conquest...

The performance will be followed by a workshop where participants explore the story further and create their own retelling of the myth. Katy Cawkwell has been storytelling for 25 years, featuring at international festivals from India to Iceland and captivating audiences of all ages.

www.katycawkwell.co.uk

Sat 21 Sep

2-4pm

Dartmouth Library

Tickets £5 (suitable for children aged 9-13)

OTHELLO

Shakespeare’s Globe’s critically-acclaimed production of Othello, captured live during its sold out run at the Sam Wanamaker Playhouse is coming to cinemas!

Celebrated by many, Othello has risen through the ranks of the Met police. But can his hardwon reputation, his marriage to Desdemona, and his own subconscious survive the toxic systems that surround him? Sixteenth-century Venice becomes modern-day London’s Docklands, as Othello grapples with many of the same issues that successful Black people have faced for centuries. This is an Othello for our times. Experience Shakespeare’s confronting look at the destructive impact of institutional racism, toxic masculinity, and a justice system locked in a vicious cycle of self-fulfilling prophecy. Director Ola Ince debuted in the intimate, candlelit Sam Wanamaker Playhouse with this ‘inspired’ (The Guardian), and ‘profound’ (Evening Standard) and ‘masterfully redefined’ (West End Best Friend) take on Shakespeare’s blistering tragedy.

Production year: 2024

Starring: Ken Nwosu, Ira Mandela Siobhan

Director: Ola Ince

Runtime: 186mins (Including 20min intermission)

Bonus content: Behind-the-scenes interviews + Globe Theatre tour (during intermission)

THE BIG BOOK CLUB READ: LIZ FENWICK’S THE SECRET SHORE

Liz is a gifted story-teller and award-winning author with nine novels and two novellas to her name. Her latest book, ‘The Secret Shore’ has been selected for our Big Book Club Read. Members for our many local book clubs have been invited to read this title and to take part in the discussion that follows Liz’s talk.

Liz is American by birth, but fell in love with Cornwall, after she and her husband visited. He now lives in Cornwall, and it is the inspiration for much of her writing. She finds it raw and primeval, and it provides an evocative backdrop for human actions and so makes the ideal setting for a book and a character in and of itself.

Other titles include: ‘Delivering Christmas’, ‘The River Between Us’, ‘The Path to the Sea’ and many more.

www.lizfenwick.com

Friday 20 Sep 4-5pm

Flavel Auditorium

Tickets £10

There will be a Q&A after the event and a book signing in the Library

TalkFilm at The Flavel

(like a book club but for film lovers!)

Our next meeting is on Thu 19 Sep, 6pm in The Flavel Café

 

FILM: Widow Cliquot

 After her husband's death, Madame Clicquot flouts convention by assuming the reins of their wine business, defying her critics and ultimately revolutionizing the champagne industry, establishing her as one of the world's first great businesswomen.

Click here to buy your film ticket separately  : Widow Cliquot

THE CRITIC

The Critic is a story of ambition, blackmail and desire with a dazzling anti-hero at its dark heart. A whodunnit wrapped in a Faustian pact which winds tighter and tighter. Patrick Marber adapted the script from Anthony Quinn's novel.

A powerful London theater critic lures a struggling actress into a blackmail scheme with deadly consequences.

Classical Architecture

Presented by Mike Treverrow

It picked us up and has never put us down.

The ancient Greeks not only gave us democracy, theatre, the Olympics, but also architectural elements which has influenced western architecture tradition for over 2000 years. Not only columns, porticos, podiums, and friezes, but also the concepts of elegance and beauty we have the ancient Greeks to thank for.

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WW2 HISTORY: THE KID ON SLAPTON BEACH

FELICITY FAIR THOMPSON

In December 1943 three thousand ordinary people on the Devon coast were forced to leave the area near Slapton Sands - but without knowing why. Twelve year-old Harry is one of them, but his most precious possession, the only photograph of his father, is left behind and Harry goes back for it.

In April 1944 in the disastrous secret D-Day rehearsal called Exercise Tiger at Slapton Sands, nearly a thousand men died. It was just five weeks before D-Day. And Harry was on that beach.

Harry’s story has kept history alive and accessible. It encourages all of us to remember the sacrifice and bravery of the ordinary people and the Allied troops who were involved in this difficult episode of the Second World War.

Felicity Fair Thompson’s presentation will be about the writing of the novel which is a fictionalised account of the events at Slapton on that historic day, why she wrote the book, a description of the events at Slapton and the wonderful reaction that the story has had 80 years on.

Sat 21 Sep 9.15-10am

Flavel Auditorium

Tickets £10

There will be a book signing in the auditorium after the talk and question and answer session.

WW2 HISTORY: THE KID ON SLAPTON BEACH – 80 YEARS ON

FELICITY FAIR THOMPSON

This film is adapted from The Kid on Slapton Beach written by Felicity Fair Thompson and is a commemoration of the D-Day Landings.

In November 1943 Devon County Council was advised by the War Office that Slapton Sands was to be evacuated to enable part of the South Hams to be used for practice assault landings. The evacuation required the clearance of 30,000 acres and the movement of 3,000 men women and children who had to take all their belonging, livestock, pets and farm equipment. The local people had just six weeks to pack up and move away.

Many went to relatives and friends but some moved away from the area never to return. They made way for 15,000 US troops who over the following months engaged in battle exercises in readiness for the D-Day landings. 80 years on 92-year-old Harry can finally speak on television about what he remembers.

The film is 30 minutes long and will be shown over 2 hours so there will be time for 3 or 4 showings. Felicity has offered to give a short introduction before the film is shown and a few words at the end.  As the film is shown from 10am this will only be possible on the second and third showings of the film as Felicity will be occupied with her presentation about the writing of the book from 9am to 10.30am.

Felicity Fair Thompson was born in Australia. She currently lives on the Isle of Wight where her interest in photography and travel expanded into film making. Her most recent film Carisbrooke Castle was shown on Sky and That’s Solent. Her published writing includes a coffee table memoir, three novels, two children’s stories, three staged plays and many scenic travel features. Felicity teaches Creative Writing and she mentors young actors.  

Sat 21 Sep 10am-12pm

Flavel Studio

Free drop in event

After her husband's death, Madame Clicquot flouts convention by assuming the reins of their wine business, defying her critics and ultimately revolutionizing the champagne industry, establishing her as one of the world's first great businesswomen.